The 916 area code is the Sacramento area code. It covers California’s capital city and the suburbs around it, including Elk Grove, Roseville and Folsom. It shares the area with 279.
Here are the cities in 916, the time zone, the history of the code and tips for unknown 916 calls.
916 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | California |
| Location | Sacramento and its suburbs |
| Time zone | Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | 1947 |
| Type | Original geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 279 (overlay since March 10, 2018) |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 916 Area Code Located?
Area code 916 is located in Northern California, in the Sacramento Valley. Main cities:
- Sacramento
- Elk Grove
- Roseville
- Folsom
- Citrus Heights
- Rancho Cordova
- West Sacramento
The area takes in parts of five counties around the capital.
What Time Zone Is the 916 Area Code In?
Sacramento is on Pacific Time.
- Pacific Standard Time (PST), UTC-8, in winter
- Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC-7, from mid March to early November
That makes it three hours behind New York and two hours behind Chicago. If you are calling for business, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time is the safe window.
History of the 916 Area Code
- October 1947: 916 is one of the first three area codes in California. It covers the far north of the state.
- 1950: the boundaries are redrawn, and 916 covers the northeastern part of California from the Sierra Nevada to the Central Valley.
- November 1, 1997: the northeastern portion becomes 530. 916 is reduced to Sacramento and its immediate area.
- March 10, 2018: 279 begins service as an overlay.
Why Sacramento Numbers Call the Whole State
Sacramento is the seat of the California state government. Tax, licensing, benefits and motor vehicle agencies are based there, so a real call from a state office is very likely to show 916 or 279. Scammers know this and use Sacramento numbers when they pretend to be a state agency. A real agency will send a letter first and will not demand payment by gift card or payment app.
How to Dial a 916 Number
Because more than one area code can serve the same streets, always dial the full ten-digit number.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 916 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 916 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 916 a Scam?
Besides fake state agency calls, watch for calls about unemployment benefits, tax refunds or license suspensions that ask you to confirm your Social Security number.
Watch for these warning signs:
- A recorded voice that says an account is locked or suspended
- A caller who wants payment by gift card, wire transfer or crypto
- A text with a link about a delivery, a toll or a refund
- A request for a one-time code that was just sent to your phone
Caller ID can be spoofed, so the number on your screen does not prove where a call comes from.
What to do with an unknown 916 call
- Let unknown numbers go to voicemail. A real caller leaves a message.
- Look up the company and call the number on its website.
- Block the number on your phone.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 916 Phone Number
A local 916 number helps a business look established in Sacramento.
- Carriers: new lines in the Sacramento area receive 916 or 279 depending on supply.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 916 number and forward calls to any phone.
- Toll-free numbers: a better fit if your customers are spread across the country.
Read our guides to virtual phone numbers and the 800 area code.
Area Codes Near 916
| 279 | Same area as 916 |
| 530 | Davis, Chico, Redding, Lake Tahoe |
| 209, 350 | Stockton, Modesto |
| 707, 369 | Vallejo, Napa, Santa Rosa |
| 925 | Concord, Walnut Creek |
Related guides: 209 area code for Stockton, 415 area code for San Francisco, 510 area code for Oakland.
916 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 916?
Sacramento, California. It also covers Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom and Citrus Heights.
What is area code 279?
It is the overlay for the 916 area and has been in service since March 10, 2018.
Is Davis in 916?
No. Davis is in the 530 area.
What time zone is 916?
Pacific Time.
Is 916 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 916 area code covers Sacramento on Pacific Time. It dates from 1947 and shares its area with 279. If a caller says they are a state agency, hang up and use the number on the agency website.
